African horse sickness vaccines replenished in time for vaccination season

Some good news for horse owners as African horse sickness vaccine stock is replenished, according to Onderstepoort Biological Products.

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Horse owners will again be able to vaccinate their animals against African horse sickness (AHS), with vaccines now available for veterinarians to administer to horses across South Africa.

Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) confirmed on 16 May that there were 25 896 AHS vaccine doses in stock, ready for packing and distribution, and that vaccine production was continuing.

“Our plans are on track to meet coverage for the 2023 vaccination season for AHS. OBP is now running a sevenday production week, possibly until the end of winter,” said OBP’s interim chief executive officer, Luvuyo Mabombo.

Dr Nandipha Ndudane, president of the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC), said: “This is excellent news for horse owners and veterinarians who have been struggling to get vaccines due to shortages over the past year.

“The SAVC urges horse owners to get their animals vaccinated against AHS between 1 June and 31 October, ahead of the summer months when equine competition season ramps up. The vaccine gives the horse a very low, weakened AHS infection and it takes some time for the animal to build up an immune response to protect it against the field virus.

“It’s vital for equine welfare and disease control that horse vaccinations, such as those required for competition, insurance or export purposes, are both supplied and administered by an SAVC-registered veterinarian. The AHS vaccine consists of two doses given three weeks apart, and horses may not compete in events within seven days of being vaccinated.”